2. News Room

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 15, 2018
CONTACT: DWD Communications, 608-266-2722
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DWD Signs New, Hybrid Advanced Manufacturing Registered Apprenticeship Standards at Hermle Machine Company

Two manufacturers, three workers sign training participation contracts onsite

FRANKLIN – The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) – Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards (BAS) and the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest (GACC Midwest) today signed new Advanced Manufacturing – Industrial Maintenance Mechanic Registered Apprenticeship (RA) standards during a ceremony at Hermle Machine Company in Franklin, blending the rigor of the state's nationally recognized program with the structure of the internationally renowned German apprenticeship system.

"Under Governor Walker's leadership, Wisconsin continues to advance innovative talent development strategies to equip workers with the skills needed for jobs in our growing Advanced Manufacturing industry," DWD Secretary Ray Allen said. "Thanks to our partnership with the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, today we celebrate the launch of a new, hybrid Registered Apprenticeship training model to help local manufacturers further develop their workforce and fill the ongoing need for highly skilled Industrial Maintenance Mechanics."

DWD's RA program, which was created in 1911 and has served as a national model for generations, annually provides value-added training for as many as 11,000 apprentices and 2,500 employers across the state in over 200 occupations.

GACC Midwest established the Industry Consortium for Advanced Technical Training (ICATT) program in 2015, which is modeled after the German Dual Education System. The Chicago-based GACC Midwest has been expanding the program in and beyond Illinois, including developing a collaboration last year with DWD, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, the Wisconsin Technical College System and other partners to bring the program to Wisconsin.

“This is an important partnership for high-tech manufacturing and apprentices,” says Mario Kratsch, head of the GACC Midwest ICATT Apprenticeship Program. “Together, we are shining a light on high-tech manufacturing and underscoring their vital contribution to growing the economy. We look forward to partnering with more Wisconsin-based companies, providing a solution to the skills gap through apprenticeships.”

BAS also signed Industrial Maintenance Mechanic RA contracts at the event, enabling three employees from Hermle Machine Company and Krones to participate in the three-year hybrid training program. Apprentices who successfully complete program requirements will earn Associate's degree from Waukesha County Technical College and an Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Deutscher Industrie- und Handelskammertag, DIHK) certificate, while advancing their careers to fill good paying, high demand jobs as journey level Industrial Maintenance Mechanics.

For more information about Wisconsin Registered Apprenticeship, click here.